| The word has its roots in the ancient Chinese culture | | | | calamities that occur on land or at sea from time to |
| and philosophy. Chi refers to the natural energy that | | | | time result from the disturbance in the chi - harmony. |
| pervades the entire universe. It is the life force of all | | | | The same chi also engineers cosmic troubles in the |
| living beings as well. It has metaphysical connotations. It | | | | astrosphere. |
| is at once supernatural and paranormal. | | | | Your mental or physical health is also in direct relation |
| There are quite a few terms or expressions that | | | | to this harmony. When there is imbalance or |
| represent chi in various countries or regions. In India, for | | | | disharmony, your health suffers. You have to draw on |
| instance, it is 'prana' (breath) and 'therapeutic touch' and | | | | the energy resource of chi to restore the lost |
| in Japan it is ki, 'the life force energy'. Reiki, a Japanese | | | | equilibrium in order to get back the lost health. Your |
| healing technique, uses the 'spiritually guided life force | | | | mind or body will then return to its normal state of |
| energy' for curing illnesses. | | | | good health. Traditional Chinese medicine uses various |
| Some of the earliest recorded philosophies in China | | | | therapeutic techniques like acupuncture, herbal |
| mention the 'metaphysical energy' that flows through | | | | medicines, special diets, martial arts and so on, for |
| and sustains all beings under the sun. An Austrian | | | | correcting the imbalances in the circulation or flow of |
| immigrant to the United States, Dr. Wilhelm Reich, | | | | chi through its channels. Thereby, it restores the health |
| propounded the theory that what he termed as | | | | of the patients. Reiki practitioners say that, when the |
| 'orgone energy' is the cause of everything in the entire | | | | life force energy is low, illness occurs and their healing |
| universe. According to him, orgone energy is the same | | | | techniques raise the energy level for the illness to |
| as 'bio-energy' or 'life energy' that fills all living beings. | | | | disappear. They use the 'therapeutic touch' to heal their |
| While some ancient Chinese philosophies describe chi | | | | patients. |
| to be a separate force unconnected with matter, | | | | According to Feng Shui, the flow chi in the spaces that |
| some others debate whether chi arises from matter | | | | you and your belongings occupy influences your health, |
| or it is the other way round. There is yet another | | | | wealth, energy levels and many other things of your |
| philosophy supported by Buddhists and Taoists that | | | | life, and even your luck. This traditional Chinese art |
| matter after all is an illusion. Without using the word chi, | | | | gives clear instructions regarding where and how your |
| several philosophers in India go a little further in stating | | | | things should be placed in your house, what color suits |
| that a primordial force or energy creates, sustains and | | | | or brings luck to you etc, as their proper arrangement |
| destroys all matter, in regular cycles. All matter is an | | | | will regulate the flow of chi to your benefit. |
| illusion of the reality that is the primordial energy. | | | | Who knows, you may turn out to be a strong |
| One of the principal concepts pertaining to chi (or qi) is | | | | advocate of chi and its declared benefits, once you try |
| that of harmony, be it in the state of the universe or in | | | | Feng Shui or Reiki or some traditional Chinese |
| the life of an individual. Earthquakes, tornadoes, | | | | therapeutic technique like acupuncture. Belief is the key. |
| typhoons, tsunamis, cyclones or the other natural | | | | |